Garden City Council Discussion

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. February 13, 2014. The Garden City Long Term Plan had been given to the City Council last month.  Some of the members had not read the plan yet.  When the motion was made to approve the plan, it was requested that a bit more time be given to the Council Members so they could finish reading the document.  The Mayor requested that the Council Members look closely at the goals section of the document and perhaps put them in a priority order to assist in future City development. 

Mitch Poulsen requested that the City appoint someone to work with him on the Bear Grant.  This grant is part of BRAG, an organization that supports businesses in the area.  Mayor Spuhler felt someone with e-commerce experience would be helpful and asked that Chuck Stocking work with Mitch.  It was also determined that Gary Cox could perhaps give some good suggestions to that group.  The motion to appoint Chuck Stocking and Gary Cox to this group was made and approved.

Mark Hislop, the owner of a new business called Brite Side Professional Cleaners DBA Bear Lake Project Management, requested a license to conduct a cleaning company at 65 W. Logan Road #9.  Mark noted that he will be cleaning short term rentals and will also do any laundry and dry cleaning that is brought to his business.  The license was granted.

The Lodge at Bear Lake, the owners of the new Water’s Edge Resort, presented their Development Plan to the City Council for approval.  The Council noted that the plan was not as clean as the previous one, but did meet with all of the City’s ordinances.  Norm Mecham, developer, noted that he told his partners he would ask if the previous plan could be considered one more time.  Mayor Spuhler said that wouldn’t be possible.  Mecham noted that the new plan will cost about a million dollars more than the previous plan.  The Council discussed several changes that have been made.  The motion was made and passed to approve the development plan for Water’s Edge.

A short discussion was held regarding the current parking ordinance.  Changes to this ordinance were introduced by Council Member Darrin Pugmire.  He reported that he had presented this idea to Planning and Zoning at their last meeting.   They have put this item on their agenda for the next month’s meeting and are taking advantage of the time in between to become more familiar with the ordinance and ways where it could perhaps be changed for the better.

A discussion concerning Resolution #R 14-01 was held.  The Resolution would give authority to the Council Member assigned to the water system to determine when or if water reduction fees can be applied for a specific reason on a case by case basis.  Bruce Warner was given this responsibility and approval of the resolution passed by the council.

Jim DeGroot appeared before the Council on behalf of the Appeals Board.  He noted that the Board Members, using the information that they had, made the best decision they could.  He felt that the Council had tossed them under the bus.  He noted that the board has met and withdrawn the decision.  However, he felt that they would actually make the same decision today as they did previously and asked that the Council make changes in the height ordinance so that this same problem would not be repeated.  He asked that the ordinance be reworded to avoid problems in the future.

Mayor Spuhler's February Report

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  February 13, 2014.  Mayor Spuhler reported to the Committee that Danny White had been let go because he was more plan and design oriented than administrative oriented.  Gary Cox was hired because of his background experience in administration.

Mayor Spuhler noted that perhaps instead of having a Board of Adjustments, that an Appeals officer should be hired.  This would bring in an unprejudiced independent expert, mediator, and decision maker. It would also take away the emotion and personal involvement that anyone living in the area has.  The County Commissioners are currently considering this, and it might be well for the City to do so as well.

There are several sources of money that will be coming to the City this year to assist in lake access.  UDOT is putting $100,000 into lake access through the City Park.  The Governor has set aside another $100,000 for beach access.  He has asked for an economic study be conducted to prove that by parking lots being built, more money will come into the City.  The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Forestry has put $150,000 to use in enhancing the beach. 

Mayor Spuhler also noted that State Lands actually paid for the salaries of individuals who worked on the beach in law enforcement as well as for the Porta Potties that were put along the beach this last year.  This was very helpful and a gracious thing to do.

The legislature is looking at money for enforcement for quagga mussels.  Hopefully the bills dealing with this issue will be passed.  Building a boat ramp at Gus Rich’s point is also an idea that is currently being considered.  It would be much cheaper than expanding the Harbor and would give more access for launching boats.

If the lake is lower this year, driving may be allowed on the beach. If that happens, the City will need to create a plan for parking zones and enforcement provisions.  The City has renewed the sovereign land lease.  Two Hundred North may also be a viable beach access road in the future.  The Army Corp. of Engineers will have to give a permit and a plan will need to be created.

The humanitarian quilters are having problems raising money for batting for the quilts that they donate to organizations which support the needy.  They asked the City if they could help them out.  It was determined that quilting is an art and that perhaps some monies could be taken from the Arts budget for assist them in their work.

Water Rates, Impact Fees and Rights

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  February 13, 2014.  Zan Murray from JUB Engineering talked about the draft of the master water plan for the City.  He noted that last month they had suggested new impact fees.  Next month they will have a review of water rates in order to keep the water enterprise fund solvent.  There will probably be a public hearing prior to the meeting to allow the public to give input dealing with the possible new impact fees and new monthly water rates.

Murray noted that there are certain fixed costs that are incurred with the water system, and there are variable costs that depend on water amounts.  These variable costs include operating costs, pumping costs, and so forth.  Currently he is trying to determine a base rate and how that will affect the citizens in the community.  He will have the recommendation for the fees at the March meeting.  The rates must include depreciation on water pipes and equipment as well as upkeep costs.  The rates must be such that stability and reliability will be maintained.  The master water plan will be ready next month.

Murray has been looking into water rights and the viability of leasing water.  The data they are currently using should be good for the next four or five years.

Murray next reported on the Water’s Edge project.  He noted that he was concerned about the north entrance/exist into the subdivision.  The adjacent subdivision currently has a lease of City property going into their subdivision that seemed almost too close to the Water’s Edge development. 

Murray noted that the traffic study level two by UDOT must be completed in reference to Water’s Edge, and the Army Corp. of Engineers need to finish their wet lands investigation.  UDOT also needs to look into the 50 South and 150 South entrances and exits onto Highway 30.  Reference to the fact that lake view corridors no longer exist in the current plan was noted.

Shundahi developers need to get the necessary easements finished up and to the City.  Also an easement for Eagle Feather is still outstanding.  There is a 20’ right-of-way that is pretty narrow and really should be made wider.  Paul Hodges has requested that they not dig through his property which creates a bit of a problem that must be cleared up.  The pump house on Shundahi froze and no easements have been given to the City from that facility.  Since Norm Mecham, Shundahi developer, thought it had been turned completely over to the City, and the City didn’t think it was their responsibility, it was decided that they would share the costs of repairs for the pump house 50/50.

Riley Argyle reported that one of the trucks is having quite a few issues.  The City needs to either get a new truck or a different one.  The new vehicle can be used as a backup when the current truck gives the workers difficulties and would be extremely helpful in the summer when the City has more workers that need transportation.   Riley recommended that some monies be put away each year in order to be able to purchase the needed truck.  Argyle also requested that more sand bags be purchased.  The last few won’t last long if there are water problems this spring.

As the City continues to grow, more redundancy needs to be created to handle snow removal.  It was difficult for the City to cope with the one large snow storm this month and noted that additional equipment will be needed in the future to handle all of the roads and situations that arise.  Most years, there is a carry over of salt and sand.  There will not be any carry over this year.  In fact, the City may run short.  This will impact the budget for the coming year and needs to be taken into account during the budget process.

It was noted that the new ordinance officer will also need a vehicle in order to carry out his responsibilities this summer.  It was decided if there were any extra funds, that a vehicle would be purchased.

Gary Cox was introduced as the new City Administrator as well as the new Ordinance Enforcement Officer.  He has years of experience in administration and has worked with large and small projects.  He is excited to be here and looking forward to working for the City.

George Peart was not at the meeting but had sent a report.  He noted there were no new building permits since the beginning of the year.  There have, however, been several short term rental inspections so far this year.  The County is currently looking into Garden City’s way of handling short term rentals since they need to equalize what is happening in the County with what Garden City has done to handle these types of businesses.  The Commissioners should come up with a plan in the next month or two.  Mayor Spuhler noted that he hoped the County would follow a similar plan so that there won’t be confusion caused by different requirements between the two governmental organizations.

Garden City Sign Ordinance

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  February 13, 2014.  Councilman Bruce Warner noted that the sign ordinance needs to be reviewed and changed.  Currently, it is very difficult to understand.  At the last Chamber of Commerce, Ken Hansen indicated that he would like to get the group mobilized and obtain information from business owners as to how they would like the ordinance written.  Mayor Spuhler noted that he hoped the businesses would help with the signage in the City. At the time the ordinance was written, there were many meetings held with business owners.  However, their attendance at these meetings became smaller and smaller. 

It was noted that the businesses don’t like that larger signs need to be engineered and that contractors need to be used in putting larger signs in place.  It was suggested that perhaps a weight limit might be a good addition with larger signs, thus making some exempt from these two conditions—engineering and contractors.  Mayor Spuhler asked Norm Mecham if he would look at the ordinance and make some changes to allow it to become easier to read and understand.   Mecham indicated he would be happy to do that.

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  February 13, 2014.  Bruce Warner, Council Member, stated that the surrounding subdivisions outside the City limits need to be annexed into the City.  He noted that the natural boundary of the City should be from the Utah/Idaho line to the trailer park on Sweetwater Hill.  He felt the City needs to provide services to these individuals, and these individuals should be allowed to develop a sense of Community.  Everyone needs a place to come from and go home to.  Having a special place to be is as important for these individuals as for them to be provided with services.  Currently these individuals do not have a voice.  It has been estimated that this area will grow by 11 percent in the next 20 years.  He feels the area needs some solid long term planning.  He doesn’t want to force anyone to join the City, but he feels they need the opportunity to do so.  He reported that it would result in a better county and better school programs with greater representation.  He noted that generally when resources are shared, costs are lowered.

It was noted that the Planning and Zoning Committee would have to draft an annexation plan.  A public meeting and a public hearing would need to be held.  The boundaries must have no islands or unusual shapes allowed in the annexation process.

The Mayor encouraged Warner to get some publicity going concerning the annexation plan and hold some discussion meetings held to find out the desires of those living outside the city limits.  If there would be better and lower community costs and if everyone had a seat at the table, this would be a good direction to go.  Income from the annexation properties would be great.  Sweetwater would need to have their own water company and also take care of their own roads.  This may be the case with several of the subdivisions.

The Mayor noted that the City would love to have all of these individuals become part of the City.  They would have to pay the City taxes.  Currently building permits are actually easier to obtain from the County than from the City.  Impact fees are being raised which may cause them to not want them to be a part of the City.  However, the City would provide law and ordinance enforcement which could prove most helpful to them.  Fifty percent of the individuals outside the City would have to be in favor of the idea and at it would require at least half the value of the area being annexed be supportive as well in order for annexation to take place.

Cisco Sonar

Bear River Land Conservancy

By Bryce Nielson


Over the last 40+ years, I have driven around Bear Lake countless times. 

I have watched most of the shoreline cleared for growth with the exception of the State Park Lands which are now campgrounds. 

Throughout those years, I have focused on two areas that have remained natural.  The first site is what used to be called Cedars and Shade on the east side in Idaho.  It used to be a primitive campground but now it is reverting back to nature.  Some of the last native lake junipers, wetlands and native cottonwoods,  provide habitat for deer, raptors and countless small animals and plants. 

Unfortunately, development is gnawing on both sides of it.  The other site is at the mouth of Swan Creek canyon.  Part of the old Lakota Resort that has remained untouched for 50+ years.  In the distant past fish rearing ponds were excavated but were long since abandoned.  It is now a beautiful wetland and shoreline choked with native vegetation and wildlife.  It is hidden from US89 by old growth cottonwoods.  Through agreements with a willing owner, the Bear River Land Conservancy was able to acquire a perpetual conservation easement on this unique site. No longer do I worry about it being cleared for condominiums.  Now it is our job to take care of it forever.  We have an small endowment set up  to fund care but we need more for the future.  We are looking for donors, large or small, to contribute to the maintenance of this site.  All funds collected will be placed in the endowment for the Bear Lake Preserve..  If you can, be a part of Bear Lake forever.
http://iwjv.org/project/bear-river-land-conservancy-created-utah-habitat-conservation#sthash.FiI2kuSE  Created for Utah Habitat Conservation A recently formed land trust fills a gap in northern Utah for habitat conservation. A showy orchid waves lightly in the breeze from its foundation in a wet meadow. White, intricate blooms line its stem. This is a Ute Ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis), a rare plant listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. It occurs in the same type of wet meadow that is important to a host of wetland-dependent migratory...

Citizen Committee for School Board Reapportioning

School Board needs reapportioning:

I am seeking to reapportion the school board representation in Rich County. I believe garden city area residents should have more representation according to state law. 

You are invited as my guest February 25th at 11:00 am to a meeting I have arranged for people who live in the garden city area. I will have information supporting why now is the time for change. I have invited the county commissioners and Becky Peart to come and present why they haven't changed this already. The meeting is at the pine view room in the garden city offices. 

The meeting is for information purposes. Civility is a requirement of all guests.

Bryce Huefner

Report on Cisco Disco

By Scott Tollentino, State Fisheries Biologist & host of the Cisco Disco

 

 

For the Cisco Disco, we had about 215 vehicles and over  750 people come to Cisco Beach on Saturday morning between 5:30 and 10:30 am.  That is not quite as many as last year, but still really good numbers.   Anglers were having great success.  For the 10 dipping nets we loan out, this year was the most they have been used since we purchased them 5 years ago.  Maybe we'll try to find a way to leave them by the Cisco Beach entrance station to be used for the whole run.  We still have not got them all back as Jeremy reported they were still being used consistently yesterday.

 

For the Bear Lake Monster Plunge, it was our best year yet.  We estimate 110 plungers (103 plus we always get a few who bypass the waiver form/registration process).  It looks like we'll have to make  28 more sweatshirts.  This was the first year we have surpassed 75 plungers and we broke 100 - all the better.  We also estimate 250 spectators.  This was awesome, knowing that several locals we attending Becky Green's funeral at the same time.  Our local pharmacist jumped for his 5th year in a row.  Batman's nemesis jumped three times.  As a result of the local involvement prize, Friday, June 20th, 2014 will be free Day Use at the marina and Rendezvous Beach for Montpelier residents because Montpelier was the local valley town with the most registered jumpers. 

 

A big Thank You to: Glenn Gilles for the PA announcing; Mike and Jared Wahlberg for prepping the ice (along with other Garden City fire crew during the event); Robert Chandler and the Bear Lake Yacht Club for the heaters; Alpine Restoration for hot chocolate?; and I know there are others that I just can not remember right now.  We did this for Hope Kids and it was really nice having some of them on site during the event.  At last word given to me, we raised about $2500 for Hope Kids.  Great work everyone!

In looking back 5 years ago when Judy Holbrook asked what we could do to bring more people to Bear Lake in the winter, our goal was to get the folks who came from out of town spend a night or two at the lake and visit some of the restaurants and businesses that are open this time of year.

The Muddled Male

The Farmer’s Daughter

By Bob Stevens

         These past two weeks have been a difficult winter.  Not because we received our whole winter’s worth of snow in one week, but because of what shoveling that much snow has done to my manly ego.  The first part of my problem was my own fault.  When we were designing our house I chose “look and convenience” over careful engineering.  That is why our garage is detached and sits several feet west of the back door of our home so that it can help shelter the deck that spans the large area between the garage and the house.  It is also why the roof is metal with a slope steep enough to let it automatically shed its accumulated snow without any effort on my part.  But, and that is a big but, because I chose to orient the roof away from dumping snow on the ground in front of our garage doors on the north, it now dumps it on the very deck that I thought I was sheltering. 

         During this past series of storms I went out during each break in the weather and shoveled the accumulated snow off the deck so that it wouldn’t get too deep to manage.  Sometimes it was four inches, sometimes it was twelve, but I faithfully cleared it during every break in the storm, as any real man would do for his woman.  And then as I had finished the last cleanup and was resting, I heard the sound that signals the beginning of an avalanche.  It begins with a swoosh, followed by a rumble, followed by a WHOMP which is the sound of a lot of snow falling ten feet from the garage roof and compacting into a gigantic brick of compressed snow on the deck that I had just shoveled clean.  In this case it was nearly four-feet deep near the garage from whence it fell, and almost two-feet deep out in the middle of a very large deck. 

         Now comes the second part of my problem.  Like the first part, the second part is also my own fault.  Sixty-three years ago I became smitten with the farmer’s daughter who is now Ann, my wife.  I admit I was warned by my friend Tommy who was dating Ann at the time and who I would have to out maneuver to have any chance at all of eventually marrying her.  Tommy told me that he was never able to run fast enough to open the car door for Ann because she always got there ahead of him and opened the door for herself.  Farmers’ daughters, you see, are used to working hard right along with the men in their life and they often don’t see any difference between man’s work and woman’s work.  That is fine when the man needs help getting the hay in before it rains, but it doesn’t seem as fine to the man when he finds that he is expected to come in from the corral and wipe the dishes. 
 

         And that brings me to my recent dilemma requiring me to clear the gigantic, compacted snow, brick that was resting there on our back deck waiting for the man in our house to remove the snow for his woman.  I need to explain that when a man is doing manly stuff and nobody is looking, he secretly lets out a groan with every shovel full and will occasionally stop as though he is sizing up the remainder of the job, during which time he is actually trying to catch his breath and check to see if he is having a heart attack.  In this instance, however, Bob the muddled male found himself being outpaced by the farmer’s daughter who was flinging snow left and right without taking any time out that would allow him to check for a heart attack.  So I said, as I snuck around the corner of the house, “I am going out to the front deck to see if we need to shovel that too.”  But what I really did was to hurry out of sight, lean against the house, check my pulse, and gasp for air.  When I had composed myself I went back around to the rear of the house only to find the farmer’s daughter still flinging snow without any sign of tiring. 
 

         While the rest of you are praying for more snow to replenish our aquifer, I am praying for rain because it doesn’t have to be shoveled.  It is really tough when a man has to admit he has been outworked by a girl.  And for those young men out there who find themselves falling for a farmer’s daughter, you better make certain that you are healthy and in shape if you expect to keep up

Utah State Parks Upcoming Events

TAKE A FRIEND SNOWMOBILING AT MONTE CRISTO

 

Huntsville – Take a friend snowmobiling Saturday, February 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Monte Cristo Trailhead. Enjoy free snowmobile rides, avalanche safety information from the Utah Avalanche Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., snowmobile dealers and products, free hot chocolate and chili.

 

Participants should wear warm clothes, gloves, boots, eye protection and sunscreen. Helmets and snowmobiles are provided. Any youth between eight and 15 need the snowmobile safety certificate in order to operate a snowmobile.

 

Event is open to the public with a special invitation to veterans. Day-use parking is $5 per vehicle and $3 for veterans with military identification.

 

From Salt Lake, head north on I-15; merge onto Highway 84 heading east. Take Exit 92 (Mountain Green) and head north on UT 167 to Huntsville. Take UT 39 north to the trailhead at the top of the canyon. For more information, visit stateparks.utah.gov/park/events/take-friend-snowmobiling

 

# # #

 

 

AVALANCHE DANGER HIGH- SNOWMOBILE SAFETY ENCOURAGED

 

Salt Lake City -- With recent storms and high avalanche dangers, snowmobilers are encouraged to be prepared and know how to avoid being caught in an avalanche.

 

Utah State Parks rangers remind you to following these safety tips when heading into the backcountry:

 

-       Always check weather and avalanche conditions before you depart

-       Carry and know how to use an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe.

-       Never ride alone

-       Avoid steep slopes

-       Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll return

-       Know the terrain you are going to ride

-       Carry a first aid kit and emergency supplies

 

   For additional safety tips and avalanche information, please visit ohv.utah.gov.

 

# # #

UTAH STATE PARKS EVENTS

  

February 22               Jordanelle State Park - Heber

Quad-Fishalon- Event Four: Join us for a day of ice fishing beginning at 7 a.m. Prizes for the top three largest fish. Registration is $20 per person. Jordanelle.utah.gov

 

February 22               Snow Canyon State Park - Ivins

Lava Tube Hike: Join us at 10 a.m., for a two-mile, round trip hike and the chance to explore the unique formations of a lava tube. Space is limited and registration is required. 435-628-2255

 

February 22               Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway

Track Me If You Can: Join us at 10 a.m., to learn how to identify animal tracks while snowshoeing in the park. Snowshoe rental is available for $6/adult and $3/children under 12.  Registration is required and space is limited. 435-654-

 

February 22               Antelope Island State Park - Syraceuse

Stories of Light: Join us at 7 p.m., in the visitor center for a discussion and star gazing program focused on the many stories of light in our night sky. Find out how you can help darken our night skies and find several night sky constellations. Entrance fees apply. 801-721-9569

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The Sun Came Back!

First time in many days we've seen the sun!  Welcome back!
Photo by Tammy Calder

More Snow

Snow, waiting for the spring birds.
Photo by Tammy Calder

Cisco Sonar

Weather!
by Bryce Nielson

Bryce Nielson

It happens every year.  Fear of a drought.  People and media worry themselves to death about water for the summer or how low Bear Lake will go.  Will California be able to raise the vegetables we want to eat?  What a waste of anxiety and it was only January.  I have been in Salt Lake the last week and they really didn't have anything, but then the "high pressure" was breaking down. Here comes the Pineapple Express! Snow.......

The weather will do what it will do.  We can predict it and respond to it but we can't control it so quit worrying about it. As I worked my way up Logan Canyon yesterday it was readily apparent that winter has arrived and I am stuck.

The next morning we are snowed in.  Logan Canyon is closed.  Then the work starts.  Three feet on the deck, blower opening, 12 inches......

Well it snowed all day and is still snowing.  So far Tony's Grove has added five feet in this storm. There are avalanches in the canyon, a constantly narrowing road and of course, pow pow. I haven't even seen my turkeys lately.  But we got our "moisture", we won't die of thirst and all the newcomers now know what a "Bear Laker" storm is.  Enjoy the snow!

 

The winter in Bear Lake stays crazy.  I do believe the climate is changing but I am not sure why.  I am still fascinated by the weather.  In the old days, when were didn't have computer or the internet to check on snow depths at the NRCS Snotel sites, things were different.  This actually so long ago the Muddled Male and the Unmuddled Mathematician were still kids.  We judged in intensity of the winter by watching the snow level on fence posts.  I always watched the old log, drift fence in the Sinks just after you went over the Summit toward Logan.  When it finally was covered with snow, I figured we had a normal snow year.  As the past forty years have passed by, it seemed that it would be covered but we didn't seem to have the same amount of snow.  Last fall walked down to the fence to check it out.  Sure enough, over the years, the snow and snowmobiles had smashed it down about two feet from years ago.  Now I watch the metal fence posts on the lay down fence below  Franklin Basin turnoff and check Snotel.   

Cars sliding off the roads on the icy hillsides kept people at home last week.
Photo by Angie McPhee

 

 

Garden City Library Report

Garden City Library at a Glance – Calendar Year 2013

 

The Garden City Library is open 4 days a week for 20 hours and was visited by 6,240 patrons in 2013.  In that number, 3,985 are adults and 2,255 are children.

 

Daily Patron Count Totals for 2013

Monday	Wednesday	Friday	Saturday	Total
1346	2416	1474	1004	6240

 

The Library has increased by 56 new card holders over the prior year, totaling 496 card holders at the end of 2013.  Of these, 114 are non-resident card holders and 379 are resident card holders, with 3 being exceptions.

 

Statistic Summary 2013
Expt	Non-Resident Card Holders	Resident Card Holders	Non-resident Circulation	Resident Circulation
3	114	379
	All Cardholders	496	11.94%	88.06%

 

·         There are currently 15,042 catalogued items in the library.  10,451 items were circulated in 2013.  Patrons also have access to Utah State Library’s online Library named “Pioneer” with thousands of titles including audio-books and periodicals. 

 

·         The library continues to offer services such as Internet access, copying, scanning, faxing, and proctoring exams to the public.

 

·         Valuable community service has been performed at the library.  We feel privileged to be a place where others can come and improve themselves in various capacities.

 

·         Programs at the Library during 2013 included:

 

o   Our preschool “Parent & Me” story hour with 579 children learning songs, playing games, listening to stories, and making crafts. 

 

o  A youth summer reading program with 42 children who participated.  There was also a youth summer kick-off party for the reading program, themed, “Dig Into Reading.”  Special guest Kathi Robertson brought dinosaur paraphernalia and taught facts of

our pre-historic earth to more than 90 people.  A light lunch was served by Deb Forakis before the group was directed to move outside where children were able to discover hidden dinosaur treasures in temporary sandboxes. The youth summer reading program concluded with a pool party and a drawing for prizes.

 

o  A book club for adults was started and overseen by Board Member, Susann House, utilizing the State Library’s “Book Buzz” site where book clubs can check out large numbers of the same book at no charge. 

 

o  Kathie Anderson donated countless hours for an adult literacy program where she taught reading or helped improve the reading skills of those who attended. 

 

o  We ended the year with a Christmas drawing providing books, videos, and gift certificates, etc.  as prizes to patrons who came in during the month of November and the first part of December.

 

·         Volunteers and library board members held two major fundraisers in 2013.  The Annual Community Rummage Sale brought in over $1734 and Burke’s 67 mile run around Bear Lake brought in $2761.  52 volunteers offered nearly 266 hours of their time at the library last year.  We recognize that these events take a lot of planning, time, and energy and wish to thank everyone who has volunteered for the library or made generous contributions.